Liverpool FC Forum

by **115-1073096938** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 9:01 am

I haven't dragged an old one up as they are to messy. Simple as that, so i'm starting another one.

Firstly i'd just like to say i'm made up with him. I said many time the lad still had plenty to offer and is still a good player and so far i think he's showing it.

The only failings being from the midfield not performing as they were earlier in the season.

We aren't playing as high up the pitch in the opponents half and we aren't playing at the same pace. We're often crossing balls into a crowded box with four six foot plus defenders in there... we need to attack with more pace on the counter attack, if we attack with more pace and turn defenders and can get the ball into the box with less defenders in there, Fowler will shed loads.

Fowler would benefit from having a player like Pennant in there. A pacey and quality outlet who can beat a man and deliver a quality cross on the counter attack. Someone who can spot a pass aswell as a cross and someone who can get right to the byline.

Fowler though so far as an individual has shown skill, vision, hunger and improved fitness levels.

Some of his touches, link up play and ideas are top quality. His movement is still second to none... the way he finds space and simply "hides" from a defenders line of sight only to pop up infront of them is still there...

There was an occassion on saturday when Sissy had the ball on the corner of the 18 yard box, the three defenders were running towards there six yard line, Fowler and Crouch were running to the six yard line then Fowler stops and backs up to the penalty spot, had Sissy had the ability to look up and pick a 5 yard pass, Fowler would have had time to take a touch then shoot from 12 yards out with no pressure... It angered me to see that a 14million pound player didn't see that chance.

His goal aswell shown his ability for me, yes the finish wasn't the best, the goalkeeper could have done better, but the space he found, staying onside and the touch was excellent.

I genuinely believe he's still got 20 goals a season in him given the right service, the goals will come for Robbie.

by **puroresu** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:14 am

Personally I thought he wasnt that good on Saturday. His 1st touch was poor and he gave the ball away far too often. He still needs to lose weight and get fitter but unless we change the way we play I think he will not score that many. Under Rafa's system Fowler has to come deep and play with his back to goal and seems to be outside the box far too often.

I get your point on hitting on the break with pace but we never do that. So many times we counter slowly giving sides the time to recover and get guys back behind the ball. However if u look at the usual starting midfield u see a lack of pace.

Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard and Kewell. Now thats not exactly full of pace is it.

by **Sean** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:15 am

I agree Stu. But the one thing that disturbed me against Charlton was the fact that Fowler was coming very deep to gain possession. Maybe he is following Rafa's instructions or maybe he is frustrated and is anxious just to get on the ball. I would rather he hang around the box and be available to pounce when required in the fashion he showed when he scored the disallowed goal.

by **puroresu** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:20 am

Sean wrote:I agree Stu. But the one thing that disturbed me against Charlton was the fact that Fowler was coming very deep to gain possession. Maybe he is following Rafa's instructions or maybe he is frustrated and is anxious just to get on the ball. I would rather he hang around the box and be available to pounce when required in the fashion he showed when he scored the disallowed goal.

I think its down to Rafa. Benitez likes both strikers to come deep and play with their back to goal.

by **Big Niall** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:30 am

I know i'll get slated for saying it but I don't believe he's a top striker any more. I'd love Fowler 1996 to be here but the 2006 version isn't a great goalscorer.

That said I think our best goalscorer is probably playing at Blackburn.

We need a complete change in the Summer as RAfa's biggest failing has been to spot a goalscorer.

by **dawson99** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:06 am

i think hes stilla good player, but i think 20 a season is just a tad optimistic

by **114-1134093424** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:07 am

Fowler is so old hes gonna die soon.

by **Ciggy** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:11 am

real madrid galacticos wrote:Fowler is so old hes gonna die soon.

Hopefully you will be gone before him.

by **Erica** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:14 am

real madrid galacticos wrote:Fowler is so old hes gonna die soon.

If you continue like this, I think you are more likely to die earlier, because one of these days somebody will be physically as violent as you are verbally.

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:14 am

I thought he was poor on Saturday. He looked totally of the pace and his touch was poor.

I'm still not convinced he is the man to lead our attack next season, but for now, he's probably the only striker that IF he gets a chance will make the keeper work.

Its clear his best days are over, but he should still be able to do a job.. after all he is younger than Shearer, and the same age as Crespo...

by **115-1073096938** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:24 am

Big Niall wrote:I know i'll get slated for saying it but I don't believe he's a top striker any more. I'd love Fowler 1996 to be here but the 2006 version isn't a great goalscorer.

That said I think our best goalscorer is probably playing at Blackburn.

We need a complete change in the Summer as RAfa's biggest failing has been to spot a goalscorer.

With nine goals in sixty five games he's our best goalscorer? :laugh:

by **bigmick** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:42 am

I think those of us who hoped Fowler would be the answer were probably being a touch optimistic. Clearly he isn't the physical specimen we remember, though he retains his beautiful touch and awareness. That said, I don't think it's all over for Robbie at Liverpool by any means. A top club needs four strikers who can come in and do the business. IMHO we currently posess two, in Crouch and Fowler.
What we really lack is an out and out number one, a Thierry Henri/Samuel Eto/Ruud van Nistelroy who the attack can be formed around. My own feeling is that Crouch should be the other part of our first choice pairing, with Fowler being the second part of our second choice pairing.
If for instance Samuel Eto (I know that's not how you spell his name but never mind) got tired of the racial abuse in Spain, and Diego Forlan felt he'd like to have another try in the Prem then Crouch and Fowler might look like two good second and fourth choice strikers.That is to say, Eto/Crouch and Forlan/Fowler being the two pairings.

On a seperate note, I felt our front two were much better on Saturday without Morientes getting in the way. Crouch should definately have scored with the header from Cisse's cross, Myrre was superhuman in goal and Fowlers goal was incorrectly ruled out. The game should have finished 3 or 4 nil. At least we looked like scoring and as Stu pointed out earlier Fowler was open in the box on a number of occasions and with a little more vision from the crosser, would have been in again.
Lastly and somewhat controversially, I thought Cisse did quite well wide right aswell. Further to that and considering our lack of goals right now, on the occasions that he drifted in to a central position he surely looked dangerous enough to be considered for a central striking role at some point. On a different day he might have scored twice and offered more in one game than some of our regularly selected strikers offer in ten.

by **puroresu** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:58 am

I really think Fowler has problems keeping the weight off. I know he never wanted to leave but the fact that a someone at the top level can not look after his body is worrying. I hope he can shed the extra weight and stay fit and healthy. i.e. stay off the drink!!!

by **the_red_alonso** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:02 pm

real madrid galacticos wrote:Fowler is so old hes gonna die soon.

Guess what ur galacticos Zidane,Ronaldo,Raul have already died & Arsenal will give u a footballing lesson.
Go Real Madrid -to Obscurity

by **AlanHansen** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:58 pm

I'm made up for the guy but I haven't seen anything yet that would convince me that he can play a part next season, harsh maybe but fair.

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